Main activity
Students design their own flags to represent the European Union. Their flags should stick to the traditional rectangular shape.

They should add a written explanation of why they chose particular design features as if they were presenting their idea to the European Commission.

They should explain their choice of:

shapes

colours

images

Extension activity
Students working in groups of four design a flag to represent their group.

They should include representations of their lives. For example:

hobbies they have

sports they like

favourite books and films

their family and friends

The finished flag must be agreed upon by all members. They may not divide the flag into four sections.

They should be prepared to explain their flags to the rest of the class.

If possible students present their designs to the class.

Plenary

When do people successfully share a symbol of identity?Prompt: Football fans, music fans at a concert, world cup

Why is it hard to produce one flag to please everyone?Prompt: loss of identity, many old enemies, different countries have different tastes, EU is a relatively new thing

Teachers' Background

The current version dating from 1986 boasts 12 stars - 12 being chosen as a pleasingly "perfect" symmetrical arrangement, rather than to represent member nations.

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas thinks that this perfection can be improved upon - his new flag uses 45 vertical stripes, taking colours from every existing member's national flag.

The logo - designed in response to a request by European Commission president Romano Prodi to find ways of rebranding the EU - represents Europe's "diversity and unity", according to Mr Koolhaas.

With the end of apartheid and white-rule in 1994, South Africa considered a reported 7,000 proposals for a new flag to represent all the races of the fledgling "rainbow nation".

Some have suggested adding stars to the existing design as new members join the EU. The United States flag has changed 27 times since the Stars and Stripes was adopted in 1777 - with 25 of those alterations made to add new stars as new states entered the Union.